Proverbs 16:5 -- Conceit & Humility

The Lord doesn’t like anyone who is conceited— you can be sure they will be punished.

Proverbs 16:5 (CEV)

The ideal concept of the "American Male" is the self-made man, who comes from nothing to build something great. It's an archetype that's embedded in our social consciousness, a direct effort against the concept of nobility, and the thought that here in America, anyone can succeed. The people that we tell stories about, are ever so often this type of person. Lincoln. Fredrick Douglas. Carnegie. P.T. Barnum, and hundreds of others are the success stories upon which we wean our children. 

The thing is, that the heart of this idea is conceit. Anyone who describes themselves as "self-made" is raising themselves up, putting themselves onto a pedestal, and thinking themselves as above others. There's the concept that worked harder than others; were smarter and more ingenious. 

Doing this negates the work of every one around them. It is an attempt to negate what God has done for you.

The thing is that the cornerstone of Christian belief, as well as the cornerstone of a joy-filled life is humility.  

Humility is an action. It's something that a person does a guideline on how to live.  Humility means that you work at being an active listener. That you practice gratitude towards those who surround you. It means that you give credit where credit is due, and above all, that you show respect to everyone you come across. 

Additionally, true humility means that you need to be self-aware; which is one of the primary stepping stones of having a true joy-filled life.

I can admit that I'm not a self-made man. Despite everything in my life, despite how hard I work, how many hours I put into my job and attempts at learning what I need to know, I know that I cannot do it alone. I need my coworkers. I need my wfie and family. 

And I need God. 

Journal Prompt: How can you show more humility in your life? List 3 things you're prideful of, and how you can show humility in their place instead. 

1 Corinthians 15:9 -- Forgiving Ourselves

I am the least important of all the apostles. In fact, I caused so much trouble for God’s church that I don’t even deserve to be called an apostle.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (CEV)

The apostle Paul was not always a good man.  Prior to his conversion, he was violent, a blasphemer and persecuted the church wherever he found it.  And that's how he described himself in letters to Timothy and the church at Galatia.  

This is a fact that he carried with him until the end of his days. He never allowed himself to forget. He used that reminder of how he had previously acted as a remembrance towards the grace that Christ provided him. 

The thing is that Paul knew he was forgiven. He had no doubt of it, and was secure in his faith and the grace that Christ provided. 

Yet he choose to remember. 

That leads us to the question on whether he had forgiven himself. 

Some people would say that since he thought of it (and wrote of it) numerous times through his life and travels that he must have obviously not forgiven himself. They would naively associate forgiveness and forgetfulness together in this scenario. 

They would happily point out that Hebrews tells us that God doesn't remember our sins after we request forgiveness. 

Which always makes me laugh. 

I have a co-worker, who is significantly younger than I am, and I worked with him in writing various documentation for our jobs.  One of the things that I most harped upon is the fact that words are important. Individually a word means something, but that meaning is not immutable. Rather it changes and mutates based upon tone and inflection and the words that surround it.  Words are important. What we say, and how we say it, tells so much about who we are, our education, our opinions, what we think of ourselves and even what we think of others.

So, when we first look at remember, the definition that comes immediately to mind is "recall or call to mind. To have in memory"  

And that makes sense. It's how we typically use the word in today's society and grammar. 

But there's a different definition that makes more sense. The definition which tells us that the word means "commemorate, pay tribute to, or honor."  When it's used in sentences such as "remember me to Charlie" or "the congress should be remembered in our prayers." 

In that context, it becomes a word that deals less with memory, and more with how we react to something. How we think of something.  

I know what Hebrews says, but I also know that God cannot forget. He is omniscient, and as such is incapable of forgetting that I have sinned.  But He can just not think on it. 

And that is how we should approach our own life and sins. We know that we have committed them. They're a part of us, and nothing can now change them. They exist as a part of the tapestry of our life and self. But at the same time we do not need to let them define us or control us. When we seek His forgiveness, when we accept it, we are cleaned.  His grace is perfect, and to not forgive ourselves implies otherwise. 

Journal Prompt: Is there anything that you've not forgiven yourself of? 

Proverbs 18:1 -- Don't Isolate Yourself

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

At times, I stumble across a verse like the above, and can almost feel the despair trying to creep in. The thing is that this is a verse that at first glance appears to be diametrically opposed to major aspects of my personality.

I'm an introvert. 

I'm an introvert with all that that concept entails. I don't like crowds. I'd rather interact with people individually than with groups. And I'd rather that person be my wife over pretty much anyone else.

What's probably worse, is that I'm a shy introvert. So not only do I not need the interaction, I'm hesitant about generating it in the first place.

So, with the way that my nature works, how does that conform with the verse from Proverbs?

The thing is that this verse is directed against those who willfully turn themselves against society, family and their church. It's not a direct indictment against those of us who are introverts.

It's an indictment of those who do things against public opinion "just because."

It's an indictment against those who breaks traditions and customs, because of no other reason than to break them.

It's an indictment of those who do not seek other peoples opinions.

Ultimately, this is an indictment against selfishness. For that is the type of isolation, of separation, which this verse talks about. Someone who is so self-assured, of their ideas, ideals and own conceits, that they seek no guidance from anyone.

Not even God.

It's a simple fact, humanity does not do well in isolation. We are social creatures. We are not made to be alone, and loneliness can destroy us: physically, emotionally and spiritually.

When left entirely to our own devices, when we have no check on our ideas or our egos, we quickly, and often happily, turn to selfishness. When it's just us alone, nothing else matters but our self.

What's worse, and why the verse always stops me, is that this is an easy state of being for introverts to fall into.

If we're not careful, we'll gladly step back from all of society, away from friends, from the church, even our families; clustering ourselves away from any and all. We will stop seeking human contact and when trouble appears in our lives, we turn to no one.

And from there, from that place where we seek out no one, where we feel that we need no one, it's a short step to condemning social interactions, and those who thrive on it.  You start judging the extroverts that flicker through a party, deeming them inferior, shallow, less intelligent, as they jump from group to group generating small talk. You condemn the small talk, feeling that the subjects are worth your attention or efforts. And eventually, you even think that of the people there.

Selfishness. Judgment. Condemnation.

That's the indictment of this proverb.




Journal Prompt:   How do you feel about being alone?

John 14:15 -- The Commands of Christ

If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments

John 14:15 (AMP)

This is a simple statement from Christ. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Jesus sets up this relationship between love and obedience, where obedience produces love and love suggests obedience and supplies it with motive and purpose.  This was not an question of doubt on His part, Christ knew his disciples (who He was speaking to) loved him, but he uses that distinction of love, as an argument of identification.  

It's not a statement aimed solely at his disciples, but aimed at any and all who would, had or will ever love him.  It's aimed at all who are born again, who have had sight of him, whether physical or spiritual.  It's aimed at those who believe in him and have received him, and most of all those whom belong to him.

Christ is identifying this group, and then gives them a command.

And remember that Chris is the bridegroom of the church. He is the Creator. He is God, and He is construed as the husband to the church. It is his right to issues us commands. It is his right to ask us to heed what he asks of us.  

But He goes further than this. In just the next verse, he promises us that He will send the Holy Spirit to help and comfort us, to always be there with us.  This is the great promise of our obedience, for He does not forsake us and He will not leave us.  

But what would these commandments be? What are we to keep and obey? 

While He did speak a number of commands throughout the four gospels, and those commands are clearly, and plainly spoken, there is a danger in this.  People see the simplicity of these commands, and think that that's the end-all and be-all of the path. They compare these words to Confucius or the Buddha and find similarities, and think that any peaceful path is enough. 

But the ultimately command of Christ, is to be Christ-like. 

The point of the New Testament is not "Follow Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3." If that had been the case, if that was what Christ was offering, we could have just as easily remained under the Law. No, the point is to copy Christ; to emulate Him. 

The point is to attempt to become as much like Him as possible. And we do this by prayer and praise, and learning. We do this by asking for patience and love and joy. 

And as we emulate Christ, as we model our lives and outlooks and responses on His, we fall into a pattern of loving God and others. We fall into patterns of peace and joy.  As we do this, we learn and know that his commandments give us a fulfilling and joy filled life.  As we love him, we want to follow this, we want to be more Christ like; to know him more and to have a closer relationship with him.

And we then go and re-read that verse, and realize that it's not so much a command. It's not Christ saying this must be done if you love me. He's saying that loving me changes everything. It remodels our life and outlook such that when we do love Him, we keep his commandments, and we realize that this verse is not a rule or an edict handed down from on high. 

It's an assurance.

Journal Prompt: List 3 things you can change to make your life more Christlike.

1 Chronicles 16:27 -- God's Presence

Majestic splendor emanates from Him, He is the source of strength and joy. 

1 Chronicles 16:27 (NET)

In the hunt for a joy-filled life, there is a simple and easy way to get there: seeking God's presence. 

When we hunt His presence, when we seek Him, we can find ourselves in a cycle where we take on those attributes of Christ, which in turn makes us seek His presence more. It's a beautiful cycle, which generates glory for Him, glory which reflects in and through our lives. 

But why is this important? Why is this needed? 

Well first, God desires a relationship with us. He calls us sons and daughters,  This cannot be reiterated enough. He wants us to be His children, and to do that, we must spend time with Him. And beyond that, we should desire that type of communion.  When we accept Christ into our lives, with enter into a convent with Him.  Something eternal, and glorious. 

The second reason this is important is because by focusing on God, and by finding Him, we both create and fulfill the requirements for a joy-filled life. The Bible is clear that focusing our attention on God leads to a state of being that can be considered joy-filled. 

And joy is a state of being that we should strive for. It's a steady, even emotion, without the highs and lows of happiness, and it's a lingering emotion, unlike the ephemeral nature of happiness.  And why it might not burn in our hearts as brightly, it's a more fulfilling and lasting thing. 

A joy-filled life is one that is well lived.  

So search for that peace. Give Him praise and worship. Seek out the majestic splendor which emanates from Him, and always remember that He is the source of strength and joy. 

Journal Prompt: How can you find His presence?

Romans 5:3 -- The Joy of Troubles

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient.

Romans 5:3 (TLB)

When I was young, one of the leaders of the church I was attending told us that we should never pray for patience, for if we did, then God would send troubles our way so that we could learn patience. 

And for years after, those words stayed with me, even today, I can hear them being spoken as clear as day.  They were constantly at the edge of my awareness, lingering there. A disquiet of thought, a constant source of not right.  Why were those the words I remembered from that particular teacher. What made them memorable, when from just a simple consideration they seemed like so much philosophical fluff. 

And let's be honest. That's what that is. It's philosophical fluff.  There is no greater meaning, no deep truths. Just a trite phrase, said in such a way as to make some random adult laugh. 

A few years after hearing it, I decided to take those words apart, and determine why they had rang so false to me. And in doing so, I ran head first into Romans 5:3. 

As Christians we are supposed to be patient. It should be our default stance when dealing with the world. 

Likewise, we cannot allow the troubles and problems of this world affect our joy; affect our search for Christ. To the point that we are to take joy in those troubles.  For God is our God through all times. When things go right, when life is easy, as well as when the storms threatens everything. God is still God. He is our light and joy, and the author and finisher of our faith. 

To deny troubles, to deny the chance to learn patience, to not learn what He wishes us to know, is akin to a slap to His face. For the Bible is quite clear, troubles build patience, patience character and character builds hope.  

It's how it grows, and how we do. We suffer a problem, a setback, and we trust in Him. We are patient with the things that are aggravating us, we become patience, we become calm. We show character, and display hope.  Without patience, there is no hope. It cannot grow. 

And without patience, without that calm understanding of our self, there can be no joy.  

Patience is at the root of so many of the emotions and feelings that we as Christians should be feeling.  

And even today, I still rejoice in those troubles that I have faced, the problems that I have suffered through, for I know that they have helped me grow. Helped me develop patience and character. 

And hope. 

Journal Prompt: How have you tried to build patience lately?

John 15:11 -- Not Happy, Joyful

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

John 15:11 (NASB)

In American society today, we have a tendency to minimize words. We see words that are almost the same as other words, and attempt to combine them, to make them mean the same thing.

An example of this is happiness and joy.  

These are both emotions that are similar to each other, but in their similarities lay a wide expanse of differences that makes all the difference in the world.  

When it comes down to it, happiness is an immediate emotion. It's responsive from some external stimulus.  Things make you happy. Events make you happy. Even people can make you happy. 

But that happiness is ephemeral. Fleeting. The way our mind works, is that that spike of happiness is quickly processed and functionally dismissed. We see it, feel it, and are ready to move onto the next thing that can make us feel it. 

Joy though, is an abiding emotion.  It's harder to find, and harder to maintain, primarily because it comes from not from something that we do, but from who we are. From when we are at peace with ourselves and with God. It comes from that stillness of the soul when we commune with God. 

It's hard to have joy in your life. It's something that you have to actively desire, to actively want, and to try for.

Compare that to happiness, which is easy to find. Anything can give you a nice jolt of happiness. A joke. Seeing someone for the first time in a while. Sex. Music. Completed a hard task. Movies. Drugs.   But that happiness is a lie, a falsehood. It is a pale imitation of true joy. 

And if joy is so hard to find. So hard to maintain and keep and nurture, why bother? And the answer is because Christ wants it of us.  consider the quoted verse from John that's listed above. Those final words "and that your joy may be made full." 

That's Christ exhorting believers into joy. He taught us that loving, and being loved by, God is the ideal perfect form of humanity. And through that love, through knowing His love, and loving Him in turn, we find the joy of life and Him.  That perfect form provides a deep abiding satisfaction, a joy, in the depths of our soul that flows forth, and touches everything in our lives. 

Galatians 5:22 describes joy as a fruit of the spirit.  When we love God, when we bask in the light and warmth of His love, then just like a flowering plant, we create those fruits. 

And that brings us to the shortcut to joy.  For finding joy is hard, Searching for it within your own self is nigh impossible.  Yet, if we take that simple step of loving God, then its there waiting for us, like a ripened strawberry waiting to be picked. 

Journal Prompt: What do you think about when you consider the concept of joy